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Adult Squirrel Car Victim - Recovering with Complications

Hello!

So I came on about 2 weeks ago with an adult female squirrel that was hit and dragged by at least 2 cars. My initial goal was just to let her die somewhere quiet and warm and was sure she'd pass within the hour but after that hour had come and gone I began supportive care as it was clear she wasn't just giving up.

She has come a long way but still isn't eating on her own. She appears to nibble on puppy kibble and suet blocks but doesn't seem to actually be swallowing so her only real source of nutrition has been the Goats Milk Esbilac I have been giving her. She gets anywhere from 30-50 CCs 3-4 times a day. I have developed a way to minimize handling as she REALLLLY just wants to cuddle up to me and my goal is to release her if she ever recovers fully - so the range is due to me stopping when she seems to lose interest.

The main problems are:

- She is dropping weight like crazy - would upping the number of feedings per day help (I would assume yes) Should I change what she's eating?

- She is still almost exclusively circling - what are the odds that this will improve? There s no chance for independent survival as she is.

Re: Adult Squirrel Car Victim - Recovering with Complications

Originally Posted by SqueakerTheLegend

Hello!

So I came on about 2 weeks ago with an adult female squirrel that was hit and dragged by at least 2 cars. My initial goal was just to let her die somewhere quiet and warm and was sure she'd pass within the hour but after that hour had come and gone I began supportive care as it was clear she wasn't just giving up.

She has come a long way but still isn't eating on her own. She appears to nibble on puppy kibble and suet blocks but doesn't seem to actually be swallowing so her only real source of nutrition has been the Goats Milk Esbilac I have been giving her. She gets anywhere from 30-50 CCs 3-4 times a day. I have developed a way to minimize handling as she REALLLLY just wants to cuddle up to me and my goal is to release her if she ever recovers fully - so the range is due to me stopping when she seems to lose interest.

The main problems are:

- She is dropping weight like crazy - would upping the number of feedings per day help (I would assume yes) Should I change what she's eating?

- She is still almost exclusively circling - what are the odds that this will improve? There s no chance for independent survival as she is.

The circling is brain damage. She needs nutrition. Add ground Mazuri blocks or Harlan Teklad to the formula. Also go to Esbilac rather than the goatsmilk. Be sure to transition slowly. Might also include ultraboost and add some babyfood. As she is likely not going to be going back to the trees anytime soon, if ever, give her all the lovin she wants. If she heals she will be the wild squirrel she was. If not, she needs something/one to live for. Also was she given prednisone when she was injured? There are a lot of folks here on TSB with a lot more experience with injured adults than I have, but I have been blessed to care for several car hit adults. Some have been returned to their wild homes, one will be released this spring. He was comatose for days and couldnít swallow. One sweet girl may never be released. Love your girl, give her a variety of foods via syringe and offer soft foods occasionally to give her the opportunity to self feed, let her exercise in a protected place, touch and love on her so she knows she is safe. Give her timeólots of time.

Re: Adult Squirrel Car Victim - Recovering with Complications

Originally Posted by Chickenlegs

The circling is brain damage. She needs nutrition. Add ground Mazuri blocks or Harlan Teklad to the formula. Also go to Esbilac rather than the goatsmilk. Be sure to transition slowly. Might also include ultraboost and add some babyfood. As she is likely not going to be going back to the trees anytime soon, if ever, give her all the lovin she wants. If she heals she will be the wild squirrel she was. If not, she needs something/one to live for. Also was she given prednisone when she was injured? There are a lot of folks here on TSB with a lot more experience with injured adults than I have, but I have been blessed to care for several car hit adults. Some have been returned to their wild homes, one will be released this spring. He was comatose for days and couldnít swallow. One sweet girl may never be released. Love your girl, give her a variety of foods via syringe and offer soft foods occasionally to give her the opportunity to self feed, let her exercise in a protected place, touch and love on her so she knows she is safe. Give her timeólots of time.

Just so I have as much knowledge as possible - what would be the benefit of the regular esbilac over the goats milk esbilac?
Yes she was given Prednisone and is still on it as it actually still seems to be making a HUGE difference. What baby foods would you suggest adding? I will look around and see where I can get Mazuri from these days.

Hopefully the regular Esbilac is cheaper if that's what she needs as money has been tight lately!

Re: Adult Squirrel Car Victim - Recovering with Complications

Great advice drom Chickenlegs -- I am wondering if Fox Valley 20/50 might also work for this girl, maybe with a measure of Ultra Boost as well? Blended especially for squirrels and cheaper than Esbilac. You would transition her slowly.

Island RehabberNY State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

"Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)Michelangelo

*If you can't afford the vet,
You can't afford a pet.
NEGLECT IS ABUSE.

Re: Adult Squirrel Car Victim - Recovering with Complications

She appears to nibble on puppy kibble and suet blocks but doesn't seem to actually be swallowing so her only real source of nutrition has been the Goats Milk Esbilac I have been giving her.

- She is still almost exclusively circling - what are the odds that this will improve? There s no chance for independent survival as she is.

I would nix the puppy kibble.

I have successfully treated and released several car hit squirrels and can say from first hand experience, if the damage devastating these little one's will to survive and healing abilities are simply amazing. My mantra is if they are fighting, I am going to fight right along with them: Sounds like you have a fighter.

TSB's own CritterMom advised me with one of the first I treat: Sometimes these accidents knock the wild right out of them. And I will tell you sometimes that wild comes back quickly, so just be aware. CritterMom also has a "recipe" for doctoring up the Mazuri / Teklad if she does not show interest in them. Chickenleg's suggestion to mix them with formula will even soften them up if she has any teeth issues(?).

2 TSBers pass along the fuzzy thanks to Nancy in New York:

Re: Adult Squirrel Car Victim - Recovering with Complications

Originally Posted by Nancy in New York

Spanky I sent it to her on 2/21
SqueakerTheLegend, did you ever get the Gabapentin?

I did not. Sadly right before I found her I sent my Gabapentin to someone that had a shipping delay on their dog's cancer meds - I sent the medication to her with the request that any leftovers when she got her medication would be made available for me to pick up again when she received hers. Instead - she or as she says "Her roommate" threw them away - no good deed I guess...

My mantra is if they are fighting, I am going to fight right along with them: Sounds like you have a fighter.

That is exactly how I feel - as long as she fights - I will fight. This just couldn't happen at a worse time financially so I'm having to think outside the box.

Sometimes these accidents knock the wild right out of them. And I will tell you sometimes that wild comes back quickly, so just be aware.

My thoughts exactly - which is another reason to limit handling as much as she'll let me. The only time she really moves normally is when she's checking things out in my lap - otherwise she's circling.

What do her teeth look like?

Visibly she is all normal. The swelling does seem to start to come back if I'm a bit late on her prednisone though so I don't know if that's in my head or if it's actually making that much of a difference.

I will update in just a moment with her weight. I believe she was 672 when she came in if I remember correctly.

Re: Adult Squirrel Car Victim - Recovering with Complications

To the best of my knowledge there is no reason that meds canít be sent through the mail provided they are not a controlled substance. I receive meds all the time from online pharmacies and have sent meds to members in need multiple times with no problem.

2 TSBers pass along the fuzzy thanks to Mel1959:

Re: Adult Squirrel Car Victim - Recovering with Complications

Saw a reference up thread to feed avocado - excellent idea with all of the fats in it but do NOT feed the peels or pit - peel the thing and get rid of that and the pit where the squirrel absolutely can't get to it. The meat is fine, the pit and skin contains a toxin (persin).

Re: Adult Squirrel Car Victim - Recovering with Complications

Originally Posted by Spanky

Coconut oil and apple sauce (or fruity baby food).

I forgot to say it does contain a bit of coconut oil as well. The baby food I left out as I was concerned with spoilage but she has been absolutely SCARFING this stuff so I may not have to worry about that once I have a good idea of how much she eats in a sitting and find a bowl solution that won't just get accidentally slid/pushed/tipped all over the place.

I still have high hopes that she will continue recovering and be able to be free one day - but for now I'm just happy to see her eating and drinking and to have a bit of a break from the constant feeding and giving fluids!

Re: Adult Squirrel Car Victim - Recovering with Complications

I actually broke it up into tiny crumbles so she can just lick them up without any chewing if she chooses not to.

Physically....well lets see...lets start at the beginning so we have a bit of perspective as far as how she's prgressed...

She started out not moving at all back when she was first hit. Once I realized she was not just going to pass and intervened she started having some involuntary responses which progressed to "slightly more than involuntary" responses. Then she began trying to get up but would immediately collapse. The second day she would lift her head to try to face the syringe as much as she could. within a week she was trying to walk but had no use of her front legs from the shoulders down. She could coordinate them to attempt to clean her face but when she tried to walk they both dragged from the shoulders. She then made a huge leap to walking but would only walk in circles with very limited control over the direction she was going when she was either against me/in my lap or laying down scooting across the floor. Reently she has shown more controlled movement/ less circling and can actually walk in a straight line or to the right (she circles to the left) if focused on something. She is also trying to get up to the low-hung hammock I made her and she has jumped up and grabbed onto the side of the cage vertically once. She still struggles with honing in on the EXACT position of the food and the water bottle but she knows the general area and is determined to get it right.